To:       Mayor and Chapel Hill Town Council Members

From:   Martha Diefendorf, Chair, Chapel Hill Public Library Board of Trustees

Date:    May 13, 2008

Re:       Recommendations for CHPL Board of Trustee vacancies

The CHPL Board of Trustees met May 12, 2008 to interview applicants to fill Board vacancies and discuss which applicants to recommend to the Town Council.  The Board called six applicants for the open Trustee positions who were available for phone interviews to discuss their qualifications for the Board, interest in the Library, and availability.

There was consensus to recommend renewal for the two current members whose first terms are drawing to completion:  Floyd Fried and Brandon Rector.  Their commitment and contributions during their first terms and their knowledge of the library’s current strengths and challenges will make them valuable members.

For the remaining opening to fill the position currently held by William Holton who is completing his second term of service, the Board of Trustees makes the following recommendation.  In order of preference:

• Talmadge Neece  –  a life-long reader who maintains an extensive personal library, admires the circulation level at CHPL, and ran the Friends’ program “Reading the Constitution.”  He has the interest, dedication and time to devote to the position. The Board recognizes that this may possibly be his last opportunity to serve on the Board due to his advanced age, as well as the Town’s last opportunity to honor him and benefit from his positive contributions.
• Brian Sturm – a long-time resident of the Chapel Hill area and a professor with the School of Library Science at UNC.  He is interested in being part of the Library’s growth and service to underserved populations.
• Kimberly Call – a life-long public library patron who serves on the board of Kidzu and volunteers at Rashkis Elementary.  She is interested in improving the library’s children’s programming and collection.

Mr. Broun made a motion to approve the recommendations, Mr. Fried seconded, and the Board voted unanimously.